Athletics Kenya (AK) Nyanza North region Under-18 and Under-20 athletes failed to meet the qualifying times for the upcoming Africa Junior Athletics Championships (AJAC) in Nigeria, with the exception of 100m sprint sensation Lawrence Oburu, as Joshua Mamba clinched the senior category title.

Out of over 150 youthful athletes who turned up at Moi Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday, June 14, 2025, for the AK Nyanza North region U-18 and U-20 trials for AJAC, only Oburu completed the race within range of AJAC’s qualifying time.

In an interview with People Sports, AK Nyanza North region Secretary General Thomas Ogwacho said, “During the regional Under-18 and Under-20 trials, which featured athletes from the region’s three counties, Siaya, Homa Bay and host Kisumu, virtually all runners except one failed to meet AJAC’s qualifying time of 10.8 seconds.”

“Only the region’s current 100m sprint sensation, Oburu, finished the race timed at 10.84 seconds, which is within range of the AJAC qualifying time, running on a non-standard track at Moi Stadium in Kisumu City. As AK Nyanza North, we are confident that if Oburu competes on a standard track and receives some technical guidance, he will qualify for AJAC,” Ogwacho said.

Ogwacho attributed the failure of the over 150 youthful athletes – drawn largely from Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and other senior secondary schools – to meet the AJAC qualifying times to a lack of qualified games teachers in the schools and reliance on manual race timing.

“In most AK Nyanza North region schools, games teachers and athletics officials merely select winners based on physical positions, first, second and third. That’s why many of the region’s U-18 and U-20 athletes were off the mark in most aspects during the trials and failed to qualify for AJAC,” Ogwacho explained.

In a separate interview, AK Elgeyo Marakwet Secretary General and North Rift region Public Relations Officer, Boniface Tiren, confirmed that the AJAC’s original host country, Algeria (Oran City), had declined to host the event, and the championship had since been moved to Nigeria.

When contacted for comment on the change of venue, Ogwacho responded, “AK Elgeyo Marakwet is one of the homes of athletics champions in the country. So, my counterpart Tiren is better placed to be informed about changes in the AJAC host country than I am.”

Meanwhile, Joshua Mamba clinched the men’s senior 100m title during the AK Nyanza North regional trials in Kisumu City, timed at 10.72 seconds.  

Steven Owaga of Mawego National Polytechnic (Homa Bay County) finished second in 11.22 seconds, with Kisumu County’s Lewis Oichoe third in 11.62 seconds.  

All three qualified for the AK National Trials set to be held at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi from June 26 to 28.

The Under-18 and Under-20 national trials for AJAC will be held on June 20 and 21, following the June 14 inter-regional youth championships held across AK’s 12 regions countrywide.

Diana Aoko from Nyamarimba in Kisumu County’s Nyakach Sub-county won the women’s 100m final in 12.52 seconds. Lavender Akoth finished second in 12.72 seconds and scouts.